When choosing a handheld unit, think about the variety of situations in which you could make use of it. Do not try to disregard the fact that the same GPS receiver used off-road can also be used when walking in strange towns, hiking, bicycling, boating, or marking landmarks like gas stations or restaurants on long road trips.

The biggest shortcoming of handhelds is their less-than-impressive mapping capabilities. Here are some in demand handheld GPS that you can check out.

• Magellan Meridian Platinum

This is one of Magellan's newer ranges of handheld GPS Receivers. These are very rugged, built to last and are for the serious navigators in mind. It has buttons which are better laid out than other GPS receivers and are easier to press.

Like various other handheld GPS receivers, the Meridian Platinum can track up to 12 satellites at any one time out of the current constellation, and fully supports WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) in the US and EGNOS in Europe.

With current GPS accuracy, the Meridian can be exact within 3 meters or better depending on the line of sight to the satellites and the amount of strong satellite signals the receiver has.

• Garmin eTrex Vista

This is the most feature-packed version of all the eTrex line. It comes with a base map that has been designed to work with a number of additional downloadable maps. This can be considered as the best in its class which offers the most convenient features than any other GPS receiver in this price range.

• Lowrance GlobalMap 100

It is made totally waterproof, reliably rugged, and with second-to-none 12-parallel channel position accuracy even under the toughest conditions you or Mother Nature can dish out.

• StreetPilot 2650 GPS Handheld

It offers you an automatic route capability, voice prompts and a large color display — in addition to dead reckoning, which means that once the unit is installed by an authorized Garmin installer, you'll continue to get navigation guidance even if you lose GPS reception. With the StreetPilot 2650's touch screen and remote control, entering and retrieving information has never been that easier.

• Garmin eTrex (Standard model)

While it lacks some of the functionalities of other units, it still provides everything you need to get you from point A to point B. It's a great entry-level GPS that's perfect for beginners. A small, compact size that makes it ideal for hikers as well as drivers.

You will need a pair of AA sized batteries to run this GPS receiver which are not included in the package when you buy them. It is possible to use rechargeable batteries, but normal alkaline batteries are recommended.

• Garmin GPS III Plus

This is a top-of-the line GPS receiver that has an excellent mapping capabilities, although it lacks memory for storing additional downloaded maps. While portable, it's better suited to drivers than hikers.

• Cobra GPS 1000DLX Handheld Navigator

just load the StreetFinder® software into your computer and after that load the destination states for each trip into Navigator using the PC interface cable. Then, punch in the place you want to reach and follow the map directions on the Navigator's screen.

• Rino 120 GPS Radio

This is a state-of-the-art GPS navigation system and two-way communications system combined, with enough memory to download detailed mapping for driving, hiking, hunting, fishing or just about anything else you can dream up. It's waterproof and can "beam" your exact location to another Rino user on FRS or GMRS channels.

• GPS 12 Personal Navigator

This one continuously tracks up to twelve military satellites all at once with its PhaseTrac 12 Technology. Not a gadget, but serious electronic navigation equipment from the leader in aircraft and marine GPS systems. This gathers your present longitude, latitude, and altitude on a constant basis. It can calculate your speed, and can graphically describe where you are in relation to where you have been.